Health Bill

Debate between Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick and Baroness Watkins of Tavistock

Committee stage
Monday 9th November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (CB)]

I have added my name to Amendments 42 and 44. I agree with the need for them, as outlined by the noble Baroness, Lady Pidgeon, on behalf of the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, and will add only a few points. The health service is designed to prevent ill health, as well as providing services. Provision of high-quality social care reduces hospital care and provides respite to carers, as previously described on the first day in Committee on this Bill.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has proposed a new special health authority to replace NHS England which, it is argued, will be a temporary measure. Earlier in Committee, I asked the Minister whether the Bill should be delayed to make adequate provision for the proposed revision of social care, which is to be initially detailed in the report of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey. If these amendments are supported in principle, this would prepare a path for further integration, where appropriate, of health and social care provision, and enable consideration of the metamorphosis of the special health authority to a new body—or possibly two bodies, depending on how we move forward on social care—to oversee areas in both health and social care services, particularly where they need to overlap.

Throughout our debate today, I have listened to various discussions about patients, but essentially the health service and social care are for the public. If we are to take health promotion and social care seriously, it should be feasible for service users to have real choice, not only in acute care but in mental health and physical health promotion, screening, prevention, deterioration prevention and, of course, where necessary, evidence-based health treatment, which is a vital end-process but should not in most cases be the beginning of the support that people have.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I will speak to the amendment in my name, which has been co-signed by the noble Lords, Lord Weir and Lord Blunkett. The new clause it proposes seeks to improve the collection and publication of dementia data through an annual report from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, bringing together data from across the dementia pathway and outlining progress towards targets and standards set out in any national plans. This is particularly timely, as the modern service framework for dementia and frailty is due for publication before the House rises for the next recess.

I welcome the development of a national framework for dementia and look forward to seeing the details when it is published. However, a framework alone will not create the much-needed change unless it is delivered on. This amendment would ensure that there is sufficient transparency so that this House and the other place can see where progress is being made and hold government to account in implementing the new modern service framework.

However, the amendment is much wider than simply measuring the progress of a national framework. For too long, dementia has been sidelined. In his investigation into NHS performance, the noble Lord, Lord Darzi, highlighted that there is an important challenge to improve the quality and quantity of care for people with dementia. I do not need to tell the House what a challenge this is. Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death, according to experts, and the condition which the public fear most. Sadly, too many people still fall through the cracks. The impact extends far beyond individuals and families. Dementia touches every corner of our health and care system and probably the majority of our families.

The condition has significant impacts on our hospitals, GPs, A&E services, the workforce and our economy. Data is the key to unlocking progress in these areas and improving the quality and quantity of dementia care, as called for by the noble Lord, Lord Darzi. Data would provide Parliament, the people living with dementia and the public with a clear picture of how dementia services are performing, allowing us to understand where variations lie and where more attention is needed.

As several Governments have neglected to face this issue head-on, the scale of the challenge is immense. I welcome the action that our Government have taken on dementia to date but believe that data is the foundation to ensuring that these measures make a difference. Efforts to improve dementia research, develop a national care service or bring in new leadership through a dementia tsar are important steps forward in improving dementia care. I look forward to that national care service.

Without joined-up, comprehensive and transparent data, we cannot know where or how these measures have improved the lives of people living with the condition now and in the future. If we want to make a difference in tackling one of the greatest health and care challenges of our time, we must have the data to strengthen our approach. I thank the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Dementia UK for their efforts to strengthen the Bill’s focus on dementia. I hope that my noble friend the Minister will recognise the opportunity that this amendment creates to make meaningful progress for the 1 million people living with the condition across the UK. She may regard this as a scoping amendment but, notwithstanding that, I look forward to hearing what she has to say and, on Report, she might table a government amendment to that effect.